#3 The Purpose Of The Church

Church

Dec 14

Introduction

The Church is common ground for sinners and saints. Where people develop a relationship with God, where people learn to use their spiritual gifts, where leaders are cultivated, and a place where people find rest in God.

The Church is common ground for sinners and saints

The phrase “the church is” is not a claim that any person can make lightly. I am confident in the claim that the “church is common ground for sinners and saints.” It is mentioned numerous times that the church is the body of Christ. Such as in “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph 1:22–23) if the church is the body and Christ the head then the Church must be for whatever purpose Christ is for.

- “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph 1:22–23)

- “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Col 1:18)

- “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one

Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Co 12:12–13) We are all sinners and Christ died for us thus since the Church is the body of Christ we must welcome sinners in. Such as “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro 5:8)

- “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Ro 3:23)

- “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro 5:8)

- “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came

into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Ti 1:15)

- “But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”” (Mt 9:12–13)

- “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Lk 15:7)

The church is also for the saints as stated by Paul “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours” (1 Co 1:2) Saints are all Christians “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro 1:7)

- “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours” (1 Co 1:2)

- “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” (Col 1:2)

- “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro 1:7)

- “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons” (Php 1:1)

- “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus” (Eph 1:1)

- “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” (Jud 3)

Where people develop a relationship with God

Church is where people develop a relationship with God. Since Christ is the head of the Church those who want to know God need to be a part of the Church.

- “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb 10:25)

- “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Ac 2:42)

- “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col 3:16)

- “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pe 2:5)

Where people learn to use their spiritual gifts

Church is where people learn to use their spiritual gifts. All Christians have spiritual gifts that they receive from the holy spirit. They are meant to be used in the service of God and the church. They are a sign of your relationship with God. The use of spiritual gifts is a sign of your salvation, not a means. Your good works come in seasons.

- “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Co 12:4–7)

- “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” (1 Co 12:11)

- “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Ro 12:6–8)

- “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Pe 4:10–11)

- “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb 10:24–25)

- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph 2:8–9)

- “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Ro 3:28)

- “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” (Ga 2:16)

- “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Tt 3:5)

- “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Ro 4:5)

- “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” (Ro 11:6)

- “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Ps 1:3)

Where leaders are cultivated

Church is where leaders are cultivated. Leaders are people with the spiritual gift of leadership or who have been called by God to serve the church beyond what is normal for believers. They must be trained, valued, and given opportunities to serve.

- “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11–12)

- “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Ti 3:1–13)

A place where people find rest in God

The Church is a place where people find rest in God. We are all meant to find rest in God. The Church should serve as a reminder of God’s love for us. It should be a place of peace. The Sunday church service serves as the sabbath of most Christians and is meant to be a blessing.

- “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” (Mt 11:28–30)

- “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (Ps 16:11)

- “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (Ps 46:1)

- “My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” (Ps 62:1–2)

- “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 Jn 4:11)

- “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro 5:8)

- ““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (Jn 13:34–35)

- “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Co 11:24–26)

- “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 Jn 3:16)

- “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” (Ps 23:1–2)

- “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” (Heb 4:9–10)

Elliott Rinehart